China poultry farmers warned over highly pathogenic avian influenza

Increased vigilance needed as woman hospitalized

The Chinese government has urged poultry farmers to remain vigilant following two outbreaks of avian influenza in December.

The most recent occurrence was reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health in mid-December following the discovery on infected wild bird as part of ongoing surveillance in Hong Kong. The disease was not found to have spread to other birds and so the occurrence is thought to be at an end. However, there are reports that, at the same time, a woman who was thought to have been in contact with a diseased bird had been admitted to hospital suspected of being infected.

Earlier in the month, an outbreak was also recorded in Tibet, resulting in the death of 290 birds and the destruction of a further 1,575 birds.